Lifestyle

Ring-shaped atolls made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, white sand beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a diverse marine life awaits in the Maldives. Known as one of the most beautiful locations in the world, the Maldives is about to step it up a notch in the world of luxury accommodations. Say goodbye to the traditional thatched roofs and hello to the new double story residences of Lux* North Male Atoll.

In the wilds of Africa, surrounded by rolling grassland plateaus and watering holes where animals gather, you will find some of the world’s most luxurious (and most expensive) hotels and private game reserve lodges. Boasting intimacy and the finest service, here are our top five game lodges in Africa.

Fat bumblebees hum as they dip in and out of violet trumpet flowers languidly swaying over the verandah. Tiny yellow-bellied warblers dart in between sucking nectar as they sing. Sukhavati Ayurvedic Retreat and Spa is only 50 minutes from Bali’s international airport but stepping through its ornately carved wooden door is like entering the land of the lotus eaters, Homer’s mythical isle of honey-sweet fruit, which once tasted banishes any desire to leave.

When you first become a vampire, you’re fixated on the small things. You look for hours at a pattern on a carpet, a stained glass window or even life itself, according to Ann Rice in The Vampire Lestat. This is the book I take with me for my week at Golden Door in NSW’s Hunter Valley. And whilst perhaps the Golden Door is not the perfect place for vampires: lack of night life, in bed by nine and up at sunrise, being there does transform you into a mindful mortal. You take time to watch nature such as the flight of the butterfly who mesmerised me with its golden wings that flitted and danced upwards to the clear sky and back to the magnolia tree with its white flowers and large brown leaves.

When it comes to “it” status in the world of fame and celebrity, it’s not something you would usually associate with a building. Head to 443 Greenwich Street in Tribeca, and you’ll find the “it girl” of the building world. And it’s packed with A-listers.

We’ve all had that dream, you know the one, where you’re flying. Well, that dream, that weightless feeling and lightness of thought can be a reality. Paragliding is not often something a traveller, thinks about when embarking on a journey. There are other adventure sports that tend to take front and centre, like sky diving or bungee jumping, but paragliding offers something magical. And to paraglide above some of the most remarkable and beautiful locations in the world truly is a dream come true.

Where most people think about the destination, we have thought about the journey. Now you can look and feel your best with our top six travel accessories must-haves that are sure to make any journey a luxurious one.

New Year is a magical time. And it’s not just because of the fireworks. It’s a time where the whole world comes together to celebrate a new beginning, the chance to take on new challenges and to be inspired. A chance to meet new people and, of course, to travel to new destinations (my favourite part of the new year). With that in mind, here are our top 16 travel destinations for 2019.

One of the most exciting cities in the world to visit and Cuba’s capital city, is Havana. Havana has a rich and colourful history which is reflected in the people, the buildings and the music of the city. It will take you back in time, inspire you and have you dancing in the streets (daiquiri in hand, of course) in no time.

When I was younger, I either wanted to be an actor or an archaeologist (Indiana Jones was regularly watched in my house). But over time that dream changed. Before I had realised I wanted to be a writer, I was fortunate enough to already be doing it professionally. One thing which has stuck with me from my childhood dreams is a love for the back story, for learning about the history of a place, a person or in this case a building, specifically the B2 Boutique Hotel and Spa in Zurich.